By Cathy Brandt *
Think with me about a paintbrush. Colorful and pleasant images may come to mind as you envision the masterpiece that potentially could be created. Now imagine a steering wheel. You may think of a vehicle moving down a busy street. Both the paintbrush and the steering wheel are tools. The tools used in a task play an integral role in what results are accomplished. The afore mentioned tools can be used to draw or drive.
Different days, different tasks, different students may require different actions. But, in my mind one has a much more positive connotation - drawing. I’d much rather be drawn to a task than driven to it any day!
One of our greatest tasks as teachers is to find tools that will draw students into meaningful activities that will produce maximum learning results. Technology now provides teachers and students a greater variety of tools than ever before. As teachers look at ways to develop literacy, the computer provides additional tools that can be used to draw students into the reading process in a variety of ways. Children are enamored by the interactive world that gives them control of where they go, what they see and do. Utilizing the text and interactive nature of various websites can be one excellent tool to use in helping students become distinguished readers.
Check out the following websites that can magically draw students into reading for pleasure or into your instructional reading program.
Life Science Safari http://www.vilenski.com/science/safari/index.html
Continental Drift http://www.enchantedlearning.com/subjects/dinosaurs/glossary/Contdrift.shtml
Create Your Own Adventure http://www.pbs.org/kratts/crazy/madlibs/index.html
Katien’s Quest http://www.lunaland.co.za/
* Cathy Brandt is a District
Technology Resource Teacher.